Control unit for composing machines



.Oct. 29, 1957 R. DOERRFELD 2,811,242

CONTROL UNIT FOR COMPQSINC; MACHINES Filed Nov. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I ROBERT L. DOERRFELD 2 ATTORNEY Oct. 29, 1957 R. 1.. D'oERRFELD 2,811,242

CONTROL UNIT FOR COMPOSING MACHINES Filed m. 2a, 1954- ZSheets-Sheet 2 {FIXED SPACE SPACE BAND SPACE BAND FIXED SPACE 59 INVENTOR ROBERT L. DOERRFELD BYZZ flaw TTORNEY FIG. 2

f ates Patent CONTROL UNIT FOR CGMPGSlN-G .MACHINES Robert L. Doerrfeld, Bellwood, 111., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Teletypesetter Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 26, 1954, Serial No. 471,139

1 Claim. (Cl. 199-42.)

The present invention pertains to control mechanisms for linecasting and composing machines and more particularly to apparatus for efiecting the selective response of such machines to stored signal conditions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide instrumentalities for effecting the simultaneous actuation of a plurality of normally individually responsive mechanisms in response to a stored signal.

Another object of the invention is to provide means responsive initially to a predetermined code signal for controlling a predetermined function, .and which is there after responsive to a different signal to control the same function.

Specifically, the arrangement according to the present invention recognizes a code signal formed by combining two existing code signals, so that recurring use, within .a line, of one of the codes included in the combined code, occurring after the initial appearance of said combined code will cause the simultaneous selection of a spaceband and a fixed space, such as a thin space or an on space or an em space.

In the composition of material to be printed it is the custom to finish all lines except certain short ones on a fixed right-hand margin. In composing machines of the linecasting type, this operation, called justification, is accomplished through the use of expansible spacebands to provide interword spaces. As a line is concluded, if the expansibility afiorded by the included spacebands is sufficient to expand the line until it fills the required column width, the line is said to be justifiable. It may sometimes happen that a composed line which is short of justifiable length will not accommodate the next word or the next syllable of that word. The compositor may increase the length of the line by inserting fixed spaces, which are blank matrices of uniform thickness, adjacent the spacebands.

The subjection of .linecasting and composing machines to automatic control, such as, for example, in the manner disclosed in Patent No. 2,091,286 granted August 31, 1937 to H. L. Krum et al., may necessitate special treatment with reference to nonjustifiable lines. Automatic control units of the type disclosed in the patent to H. L. Krum et 9.1. may be controlled by perforated strips which may be produced by means of a keyboard perforator, such as the one disclosed in Patent No. 2,059,250 granted November 3, 1936, to H. L. K-rum. The counting of the matrix thicknesses and minimum and maximum spaceband values inefiective by rerunning the signals through the perforator i Patented Oct. 29, 1957 and converting each to the so-called rub-out or all-perforated signal. This series of ineffective signals is then followed by a reperforation of the signals representing the line to be composed, with the fixed space signals included at the desired points. The sensing of the idle signals, when the control strip is run through the control unit for the linecasting and composing machine, accomplishes no useful purpose and results in a period of idleness of the composing machine.

In accordance with the present invention, it is .proposed to control automatically the release of fixed spaces to accompany a deficient line, without the insertion of signals particularly associated with the release of fixed space matrices, and by the modification of one or more of the spaceband signals in the line. The modification comprises the perforation of an additional code hole or holes, whereby the ordinary spaceband signal is converted into an extraordinary spaceband signal. It may be accomplished by backspacing the control strip through the perforator until that one or those of the spaceband signals that are to 'be converted from the ordinary to the extraordinary spaceband signal are aligned with the punches, and depressing the key lever assigned to the execution of an extraordinary spaceband signal, or by inserting the additional perforation or perforations by means of ahand punch or by an auxiliary punch block in the keyboard perforator provided for that purpose. No other modification of the signals in the tape is required, and none of the signals in the deficient line is destroyed.

According to an additional feature of the invention, a means is provided whereby the record sensing and pull bar selecting apparatus be conditioned, upon respending :to an extraordinary spaceband signal, for releasing a fixed space matrix in response to each subsequent spaceband signal in a line whether such subsequent spaceband signal is the ordinary spaceband signal or has been converted to the extraordinary signal. in other words, the mechanism will automatically add a fixed spaceto each succeeding spaceband for the remainder of the line, although the tape reader senses only a spaceband signal. At the end of the line, the elevatormechanism will relatch the add-fixed-space mechanism permitting the unit to return to normal for the next line.

A complete understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the following description considered in the light of th eaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a linecasting and composing machine having an automatic control unit applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the record reader mechanism having embodied therein principles representative of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the add-fixed-space mechanism according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fragment of control tape containing signals for releasing a spaceband alone, a fixedspace matrix alone, and for releasing both simultaneously.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the reference numeral 11 indicates generally a l inecasting and composing machine. The linecasting machine has a conventional keyboard mechanismi12, matrix storage magazine 13, spaceband storage magazine 14, assembler belt16, and an assem-' bler elevator '17. The release of matrices from the matrix storage magazine 1'3 is eifected by the lifting of release reeds 18, "which may, if desired, be controlled from the keyboard 12, and the release of spacehands. 19 from spaceband storage magazine 14 may be efi'ected by the lifting of a special release reed 21, which mayfif desired, he controlled by a manually operablewspaoeband;

key lever 22. A lever 23 pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 24, has one end connected to the spaceband release reed 21, and has the other end connected to the spaceband escapement mechanism 26. The assembler elevator 17 hasdepending the efrom a'link 2.7 which is afticulated at .its lowerend to a crank arm-28 carried by a rock shaft 29.-

Fig. 2 shows the manner in which the release reeds are lifted to elfect the release of a matrix or a spaceband. Referring to that figure, it will be noted that keylevers 31 pivoted as at 32 have tongues 33 in notches ofindividual weight bars 34, which are arranged to be lifted upon the rocking of a key lever 31 either manually or by automatic means. Each of the weight bars 34 is provided near its upper end with a notch in which is disposed one arm of a trigger bell crank36, the other end of which normally supports a cam yoke 37 in such position that a keyboard cam 38,rotatably mounted in the cam yoke 37, is held out of engagement with a continuously rotating rubber roll 39. Eachof the cam yokes 37 has a portion 41 disposed below a corresponding release reed 18 or 21. The release reeds 18 and 21 are notched to provide a shoulder which rests upon a supporting bar 42.

The lifting of a weight bar 34 by operation of a key lever 31 causes the rocking of the associated trigger bell crank 36 which frees the associated cam yoke 37 and permits it to drop until cam 38 engages rubber roll 39. Rotation is imparted to a cam 38 by rubber roll 39 which causes cam yoke 37 to be rocked counterclockwise. (as viewed in Fig. 2) to lift the associated release reed 18 or 21. The lifting of cam yoke 37 by cam 38, returns it to the normal position where it is supported by trigger bell crank 36 in readiness for the next operation of the associated key lever 31 and weight bar 34. Above each of the release reeds 18 there is a lever arm 43 pivoted as at 44 and having its free end adjacent to and in operative alignment with the escapement mechanism of a matrix storage channel of magazine 13, in Well known manner. The lifting of one of the release reeds 18 causes its associated lever arm 43 to be rocked in clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) about its pivotal mounting 44 to cause its associated escapement mechanism to be operated and a matrix thereby released for transportation by assembler belt 16 to assembler elevator 17.

The present invention contemplates the operation of the keyboard mechanism 12 (Fig. 1) and of other instrumentalities of the linecasting machine, of which the assembler elevator 17, operable from the rock shaft 29, is an example, under the control of an automatic control unit which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 46, and which may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the hereinbefore mentioned patent of Howard L. Krum et al. The automatic control unit 46 is attached to the linecasting machine 11 below and forward of the keyboard mechanism 12, and is arranged to be driven by power derived from any convenient continuously rotatable power shaft of the linecasting machine, such as the intermediate shaft 47 (Fig. l). The power take-off for driving the automatic control unit may be a pulley 48 mounted on the intermediate shaft 47. Pulley 48 drives a belt 49 which engages a pulley (not shown) included in the record sensing mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 51 (Fig. 1).

The record sensing unit 51 controls a selecting unit which is contained within the housing 52 (Fig. 1), and the structural details of the record sensing unit 51 are shown in said Krum et a1. Patent No. 2,091,286. The selecting unit comprises code bars 53 to which permutational settings in accordance with the signal conditions sensed by the record sensing mechanism 51 are transmitted.v Permutation code bars 53 are flat bars placed side-by-side and mounted for individual endwise movement between two selective positions. Connecting bars (not shown) engage each of the code bars 53 and extend into the record sensing unit 51 where they cooperate with the record reading elements of the record sensing unit 51 to effect the selective positionment of the code bars 53. Code bars 53 are permutationally notched along the upper and lower edges, so that for each permutational setting of the code bars there may be established an alignment of notches extending across the entire permutation unit, which alignment may be in the upper or lower edges of the code bars 53. Selectable bars 57 extend transversely of the code bars 53 and are alternately disposed above and below the code bars. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the selectable bars 57 is fitted to a supporting rod 58 by means of notches, and springs 59 urge the selectable bars 57 rightwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2) to seat the selectable bars upon rod 58. Springs 59 also bias those selectable bars which extend below the code bars 53 clockwise, and those which extend above the code bars counterclockwise, whereby the selectable bars are urged to rotate into engagement with the code bars, and when permitted to rotate by the stripper or spreader cam 61, they move into engagement with the code bars and that selectable bar 57, which finds an alignment of notches, rotates farther than do the other selectable bars and enters the alignment of notches.

Each of the selectable bars 57 is provided on the edge which is adjacent to the code bars 53 and near its forward end (left end, as viewed in Fig. 2) with a shoulder 62 which is presented in the path of universal bail 63 upon selection of the selectable bar 57 by entrance of that bar into an alignment of notches. Universal l bail 63 is shown in its normal or unoperated position in Fig. 2, and when it is actuated by the shaft which carries spreader cam 61, it is moved leftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2) and engages the shoulder 62 of any selectable bar 57 which has been selected, and imparts endwise movement leftwardly to that bar.

Each of the selectable bars 57 which assigned to the release of a matrix or a spaceband has in alignment with it the depending arm of a bell crank lever 64 which is pivoted on mounting shaft 66. The horizontal arm of each of the bell cranks 64 is disposed above and substantially in engagement with a forwardly extending portion 67 of an auxiliary key lever 68 pivoted on common pivot 69. There is an auxiliary key lever 68 for and below each of the manually operable key levers 31, and each of the key levers 68 has a tongue 71 which is disposed in a notch in one of the weight bars 34. It will be apparent from this that any one of the weight bars may be lifted to trip the associated cam yoke 37' by depressing the forward end of the associated key will depress the forward end of its associated auxiliary key lever 68 to lift the corresponding weight bar 34. The patent to Howard L. Krum et al., hereinbefore' identified, may be consulted for a fully detailed description and showing of the apparatus thus far described.

As outlined hereinbefore, it is necessary to provide for the addition of fixed space matrices to be assembled adjacent to some or all of the spacebands. This may be accomplished by bringing back into registry with the punch pins in the perforator those of the spaceband signals representing spacebands with which fixed space mat-' rices are to be assembled, and converting them from the ordinary spaceband signal 113 indicated in Fig. 5 as a single perforation in the code element "3 position to an extraordinary spaceband signal 114 by the addition of a perforation in the code element 0 position. When fixed space matrices arerequired as a regular part of the composition without reference to spacebands or the filling out of a deficient line, they are represented by a code 115 having a single perforation in the code element 0 position. Thus,'by combiningv the attributes of both the spaceband signal. and the fixed space signal, both a spaceband and a fixed space will be selected simultaneously.

With the arrangement according to the present invention, means is provided whereby the selector apparatus will be conditioned, upon. responding to the 0-3 or extraordinary spaceband signal, for releasing a fixed space matrix in response to each subsequent spaceband signal in a line whether such subsequent spaceband signal is the ordinary spaceband signal or has been converted to the extraordinary signal. In other words, in the practice of the invention, means is provided in a linecasting and composing machine for releasing spacebands and fixed spaces. simultaneously in response to a predetermined code signal which comprises changing only the first spaceband signal in the line pursuant to which. the mechanism will automatically add a fixed space to each: succeeding spaceband for the remainder of the line, whereupon the elevator signal will restore the arrangement to normal condition. This result is accomplished by providing an arrangement responsive to the add-fixed-space code signal to efiect substantially simultaneous operation of. both of the special fixed space and spaceband bell cranks 64, aswill hereinafter appear.

Referring to Fig. 3-, there are shown certain selectable bars of the group of selectable bars 57, individually identified as the fixed-space selectable bar 72, the spaceband selectable bar 73, the add-fixed-spaced selectable bar 74 and the elevator selectable bar 75. Appropriately positioned above and tothe rear of the pivot shaft 58 is a shaft 76 suitably journaled in the frame of the control unit 46. Suitably positioned on said shaft 76 with respect tosaid selectable bars 72, 73 and 74 are individual actuating members 77, 78 and 79, respectively. The actuating members 77 and 79 are adapted to be adjustably clamped: on shaft 76 by means of set screws 81.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the actuating member 78 is adapted to be adjustably' clam-pod by means of a: set screw 80 on a sleeve 82? which isadapted to be longitudinally slidable on the shaft 76. Sleeve 82 is provided with a slot 83 through which projects a pin or stud 84 fixed to and laterally projecting from the shaft 76. Sleeve 82 is also provided with a flange 85. Juxtapositioned to sleeve 32 is a second sleeve 86 having a flange 8-7. Suitably attached to flange 85 of sleeve 82 is one end of a coil spring 88 adapted to surround the sleeve 86, the other end of spring 83 being attached to the flange 87 thereby attrahently biasing the sleeves 82 and 86.

Pivoted on a stud 89, suitably positioned in the unit 46 with respect to flange 87 and bar 74 is a bell crank lever 91, arm 92 of which cooperates with flange 87, and arm 93 of which cooperates with a shoulder 94 on the selectable bar 74. Arm 93 of bell crank 91 terminates in a shouldered or stepped portion 95 which cooperates with an arm 96 of a latch bell crank lever 97 pivotally supported on pivot stud 98. The other arm 99 of bell crank lever 97 is adapted to cooperate with a shoulder 101 on the elevator selector bar 75. Lever 97 is normally biased counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig.3 by a spring 102. Sleeve 82 is normally biased leftwardly (as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4) by a spring 104, so that stud 84 is normally held at the right end of the slot 83.

In the rest condition of the arrangement according to the present invention, actuator 77 is clamped on shaft 76 in such a position as to maintain the flange 105 in the path of a projection 106 on the fixed-space selectable bar 72. Also, the actuator 78 is clamped on the sleeve 82 in such position as to hold the flange 107 thereof out of register with the bail projection 108 of bar 73, when the sleeve 82 is held in its leftward position by the sembler elevator 17 spring 104'. Furthermore, the actuator '79 is clamped on shaft 76 in such position that the flange- 109 is presented in the path of the projection 111 on the bar 74.

In. the operation of the device according to the inven tion, it is assumed that the elements of the structure are in. their normal uno'perated position, as shown in Fig: 3, with the actuators 77, 78 and 79 clamped to shaft 76 and sleeve 82 in the; manner shown.- Pursuant to the reading of the tape 112 (Fig; l) by the reading unit 51, the code bars 52 are set per mutatively to produce an alignment of notches therein so that a selected bar 57 (or 72 to 75) will enter said alignment of notches in order to effectuate its operation by the operating bail 63, as described in said Patent: No, 2,091,286.

Thus, in response to the spaceband signal (code element 3 position), which. is the position 113 in Fig. 5, the selectable bar 73 will be selected and the bell crank 64 individual thereto will. he operated toeif'ect through its associated reed 21,.Eig'. 1 (as disclosedin. Patent No. 2,091,286), the counterclockwise: rocking of lever 23 about pivot 24 to operate the spaceband escapernent mechanism 26 to release a: spaceband 19 from the spaceband storage magazine 14.. It will be noted hereinafter that the spaceband selectable bar 73'may also be selected in response to the" extraordinary spaceband code signal 114 (Fig. 5), but with a modified effect. I

Now, in response to a' fixed-space signal (referred to also as the thin-space signal)" which is in the posi tion 115, Fig. 5, exemplified by the code element 0 position, the selectable bar 72 identified with the thin space positionv in the matrix storage magazine 13 will be selected and operated: so that a fthin-space matrix (also called fixed-space), because: actuator 77 may be positioned on shaft 76 to' control the release of an en space or em space matrixif desired) willv be released to drop upon: the assembler belt 16 and be conveyed to the as As previously mentioned, his desired to simultaneously select a spaceband and a fixed-space matrix (called the add-fixed-s'pace function). In this event, the spaceband signal (code element. 3 position) is changed to an add-fixedz-space" signal (code element 0-3 However, in the preparation of tape for controlling, theap'-- paratus according to the present invention, it is not necessary to modifyeveryspaceband signal in order to effect the release of. afixed-space matrix simultaneously therewith, but it is only necessary to modify one spaceband signal (normally the first spaceband signal in the line) to convert said ordinary spaceband signal into an extraordinary spaceband signal-,in order to effect the 'release of a fixed-space matrix with that spacebandand with allfollowing it in the line.

Now, pursuant to the receipt of the extraordinary spaceband signal (114, Fig. 5) both of the bars 73 and 74 will be selected, so that as a result of the forward motion imparted to bars 73 and 74 by the operating bail 63, a spaceband will be released upon operation of the bell crank 64 individual to bar 73, and substantially simultaneously therewith, a fixed space matrix will be released because the projection 111 of bar 74 will act upon flange 109 of actuator 79 to rotate shaft 76 to, in turn, cause actuator 77 to rotate correspondingly to cause flange of actuator 77 to coact with lug 106 of bar 72 to move bar 72 forwardly to rotate the bell crank 64 identified therewith to effect the release of a fixed-space matrix from the magazine 13.

Concurrently with this operation of the mechanism (shown in Fig. 3) to effect the initial simultaneous release of a spaceband and fixed-space matrix, said mechanism will be conditioned by the latching of lever 91 by latch 97 for thereafter releasing a spaceband and fixed-space matrix simultaneously in response to only a spaceband signal (113, Fig. 5) in the following manner:

in response to the selective operation of bar 74 pursuant to the receipt of the extraordinary spaceband signal 114,

the bell crank 91 is rotated clockwise a predetermined amount through the instrumentality of lug 94. Since bars 73 and 74 are selectively operated substantially simultaneously, the projection 108 on bar 73 is presented in front of and in the path of flange 107 of actuator 78. Then, when the bell crank 91, through arm 92 and flange 87, tends, through spring 88, to slide the sleeve 82 rightwardly along shaft 76, this movement of sleeve 82 is prevented. However, because the flange 107 is blocked by the projection 108, the spring 88 will be stretched thus providing a yieldable connection between flange 87 and sleeve 82, so that when the bar 73 is returned to its rearmost position, the projection 108 will be removed from blocking relation with flange 107, thereby permitting spring 88 to contract, thus moving sleeve 82 rightwardly, to bring flange 107 in front of, and in the path of movement of projection 108; that is, in registry therewith.

However, bell crank 91 has become latched by the latch lever 97. Thereafter, whenever a spaceband signal alone is received, the bar 73 is actuated forwardly to release a spaceband, and substantially simultaneously therewith the actuator 78 is rotated, to effect, through slot 83 and pin 84 and shaft 76, rotation of the actuator 77, which, through flange 105 and projection 106 will move bar 72 forwardly to cause the release of a fixed-space matrix from the magazine 13.

As is disclosed in said Patent No. 2,091,286 to H. L. Krum et al., the matrices and spacebands are assembled in the assembly elevator 17, and upon receipt of the elevator signal at the end of the line, the elevator 17 is raised to carry the assembled line of matrices to the casting position, in Well known manner. Upon the sensing of the elevator signal in the tape 112 by the tape reader 51, the code bars 53 will be set permutably to effect the selection of the elevator selector bar 75 (one of the bars 57) to effectuate the elevator operation, which comprises releasing the elevator cam (not shown) for one cycle of rotation, as described in said Patent No. 2,091,286. Also, bar 75 will be effective through its projection 101 to rotate the latch lever 97 clockwise to effectuate the re lease of bell crank lever 91 from its latched condition to permit said lever 91 to return to its unlatched position shown in Fig. 3. Spring 104 will therefore return the sleeve 82 to its leftward position against stud 84 to position the flange 107 out of the path of projection 108. Thus, pursuant to the selective operation of the elevator selector bar 75, the arrangement according to the present invention is restored to the normal condition shown in Fig. 3, preparatory to setting up the next line.

Although a preferred form of the invention has been disclosed and described, it is obvious that changes may 8 be made in'the details set forth without departing from the essentials of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In a linecasting and composing machine, means for releasing fixed thickness space elements, means for releasing variable thickness space elements, a permutation code selector, first and second selectable members controlled by predetermined permutative settings of said selector for individually controlling said means, respectively, a third selectable member controlled by a further permutative setting of said selector, said selectable members carried pivotally on a common shaft, a bail projection on said second member, an auxiliary shaft disposed above and parallel to said common shaft, a plurality of actuators carried .on said auxiliary shaft, one of said actuators operably associated with each of said selectable members, said first selectable member adapted to control the release of a fixed thickness space element, said second selectable member adapted to control the release of a variable thickness space element, sleeve means mounted on said auxiliary shaft and adapted to be axially slidable thereon, said sleeve means comprising a pair of attrahently biased elements, the actuator associated with said second selectable member adapted to be carried on said sleeve means so as to be normally biased to a position out of register with said bail projection, cooperating means associated with said third selectable member and said sleeve means, said cooperating means comprising a two-armed lever, one arm of which cooperates with one element of said sleeve means and the other arm of which cooperates with said third selectable member, whereby upon the selective operation of said third selectable member said attrahently biased elements will be actuated through said two-armed lever due to the yieldable interconnection therebetween to bring the actuator associated with said second selectable member into register with said bail projection and upon subsequent selective operations of said second selectable member both a fixed thickness space element and a variable thickness space element will be simultaneously released, latching means for holding said two-armed lever in its operated position, a fourth selectable member, and facilities on said fourth selectable member for rendering said latching means ineffective.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,840,408 Pickett et al Jan. 12, 1932 1,964,850 Hilpman July 3, 1934 2,006,848 Walden July 2, 1935 2,090,654 Walden Aug. 24, 1937 2,117,474 Goetz et al May 17, 1938 

